On A Bigger Lake Now

Usually we stay at Grand Lake St. Mary’s State Park but all the sites were filled because of the holiday by the time I was able to get through once it reopened.  So we are in a private park, not fancy, but it has full hook-ups, easy in and out with no one bothering you with rules and regulations and half the price of the state park that has electric only!  We rode through the other night and it appears they have put water and sewers in a few lines of sites but they don’t look big enough to hold us.  So, all in all, we are happy where we are.

Once set up, we went to Dan and Sue’s to meet their new dog Dolly just home from training in Pennsylvania.  Unfortunately, they did not convey to her that she is not a lap dog.

Eventually we went to a Mexican restaurant for dinner.  For the middle of cornfield country, it was really good.  Monday was spent getting acclimated, stopping at the store and eventually going back to Dan’s for a cookout.

Tuesday the fellows went shooting, Sue had a headache so I kept the car and went to the post office to mail a birthday card and then went shopping for 3 boy and 1 girl birthday presents.  For the 4th we are going to a 4th of July picnic and combined birthday party for four of their 16 grandchildren!  I also bought bags, tissue paper and 4 more birthday cards.  I hope they like their gifts.

Wednesday we were waiting on Keith and Steve to arrive from Connecticut.  They were headed to Elk Lake to join  the four housefuls down there but spent most of the afternoon and early evening with us before continuing on.  Dan took us for a very pleasant boat ride on Grand Lake in the afternoon and we eventually ended up at CJs for dinner.  We all were really hungry because the only thing besides dirty dishes cleared away was two croutons!

Here is a little history on the hand dug lake.

“Originally constructed as a feeder reservoir for the Miami-Erie Canal, Grand Lake St. Marys was for many years recognized as the largest man-made reservoir in the world. The 13,500-acre lake is the gateway to swimming, boating, camping and fishing in one of Ohio's oldest state parks.The area in and around Grand Lake St. Marys State Park played an important part in the development of the Northwest territory.”

The fellows went shooting again on Thursday while Sue and I drove to Lima to get manicures and pedicures with everyone wearing masks.  We stopped for some things at a drug store and I dropped her off at home.  Ted was not back and I took a short nap then fixed myself a small dinner.  He ate when he got home and we stayed in for the night.  

Friday we ran an errand and ended up having lunch at Bella’s on the patio beside the lake.  

This is just down the street from where cabins with individual fishing piers were where my family spent many a vacation.  My great grandparents came to Celina for years to vacation and fish, they belonged to the Moose Lodge because it was the only TV and they wanted to watch the Reds.  Grandpa Homer was presented a key to the city at one time.  I remember seeing photos of that.  The restaurant/bar that was Chick and Tiny’s is now named something else and has expanded and the cabins and piers are all gone.  I am thankful for those wonderful childhood memories and being able to share my stories with Ted.

We were invited to Sue’s son’s home to celebrate 4 youngsters’ birthdays and Independence Day all rolled into one.  Dan and Sue have 6 kids and 17 grandkids so we saw 3 of the adults and 7 of the children.  Everyone had a great time, lots of food, presents and birthday cake!

We had to travel north on I-75 to get home.  Because it is all flat farmland here, we were able to see fireworks from both sides of the road and in front of us.  A fine end to a wonderful day!  

We have nothing planned for the rest of today or tomorrowBut that may change.  Tuesday we are going to Shipshawana, IN to Amish country.  The flea market will be open so I can find a fly swatter and cutting board, neither of which I have been able to locate in the motorhome!  As soon as I get home I will probably find them so then I will have two.